Growing up on a small farm might seem like a strange place to pick up the trade of antique upholstery and restoration. But one small-town girl’s hobby has launched a career that spans more than three decades, focusing on refinishing “grandma’s old chair” to the beautiful piece of furniture it once was.

The buzzing of a needle, an assortment of ink and an apron and a canvas to paint on are things tattoo artist Solomon Trofatter has become very familiar with. But in his case, the canvas is a human body, and the paint is permanent ink.